Soft tissue conduit device

ABSTRACT

A method of conducting biological materials to soft tissue. The method includes loading a conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter, inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into soft tissue, expelling the conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue, and delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the conduit device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/408,282, filed on Apr. 20, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/347,661 filed on Feb. 3, 2006, and this application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/294,694 filed Dec. 5, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/984,624 filed Nov. 9, 2004. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

INTRODUCTION

Tears caused by trauma or disease in soft tissue, such as cartilage, ligament, or muscle, can be repaired by suturing and/or use of various fixation devices. Various tissue fixation devices have been developed for facilitating suturing and are effective for their intended purposes.

Although the existing soft tissue fixation devices can be satisfactory for their intended purposes, there is still a need for new devices and methods of conducting biological materials to soft tissue.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide a method of conducting biological material to soft tissue. The method includes loading a conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter, inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into soft tissue, expelling the conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue, and delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the conduit device.

The present teachings further provide a method of conducting biological material to soft tissue that includes loading at least first and second conduit devices onto a delivery shaft of an inserter, inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into a first location in soft tissue, expelling the first conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue, delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into an outer longitudinal channel of the first conduit device, and removing the delivery shaft from the tissue.

The present teachings provide a method of conducting biological material to meniscal tissue. The method includes making an arthroscopic incision in a knee, exposing meniscal tissue, loading a first conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter, optionally loading a second conduit device onto the delivery shaft of the inserter; inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into a first location in the meniscal tissue, expelling the first conduit device from the delivery shaft into the meniscal tissue between two areas of different vascularity, delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the first conduit device, removing the delivery shaft from the meniscal tissue, optionally inserting the delivery shaft of the inserter into a second location in the meniscal tissue, optionally expelling the second conduit device from the delivery shaft into the meniscal tissue, optionally delivering biological material from the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the second conduit device, removing the delivery shaft of the inserter from the meniscal tissue, and closing the incision.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is an end view of a conduit device illustrating adequate tenting of soft tissue according to the present teachings;

FIG. 1E is an end view of a conduit device illustrating inadequate tenting of soft tissue;

FIG. 2A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 3B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of inserting a conduit device in soft tissue according to the present teachings;

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 7B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 7C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A illustrates a method of connecting two conduit devices with two fixation devices according to the present teachings;

FIG. 8B illustrates a method of connecting two conduit devices with two fixation devices according to the present teachings;

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of repairing a meniscal tear according to the present teachings;

FIG. 10A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 10B is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 11A is an isometric view of a conduit device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 11B is a side view of the conduit device of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 11C is an end view of the conduit device of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is an isometric view of a distal portion of an inserter according to the present teachings, shown pre-loaded with two conduit devices;

FIG. 12B is an isometric view of the proximal portion of the inserter of FIG. 12A; and

FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate aspects of an exemplary method of inserting one or more conduit devices in meniscal tissue according to the present teachings using the inserter of FIG. 12A.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. For example, although the present teachings are illustrated for repairing meniscal defects in knee surgery, the present teachings can be used to repair and facilitate healing or regeneration of any injured soft tissue.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-C, an exemplary soft tissue conduit device 100 according to the present teachings includes an elongated body 102 having an outer surface 104 and a plurality of longitudinal external channels 106 extending along the entire length of the body 102. The channels 106 are shaped such that when the conduit device 100 is inserted into soft tissue, the channels 106 can serve as conduits for conducting biological materials, such as nutrients, into the tissue from outside the tissue or between first and second areas of the tissue, such as, for example, between healthy tissue and injured or torn tissue, or between areas of different vascularity, such as between red-red (vascular), red-white (semi-vascular) and white (avascular) tissue areas of a meniscus. The channels 106 can provide a vascularity path in the tissue for facilitating healing or repair. As such, each channel 106 can have a width “w” and a depth “d” that allows the tissue to envelope or form a “tent” over the channel 106 without blocking the channel 106. Referring to FIG. 1D, deep channels 106 exemplify a shape that provides satisfactory “tenting” or draping of tissue 80 over the channels 106. Referring to FIG. 1E, shallow channels 106′ illustrate inadequate tenting of tissue 80 over the channels 106′, with the tissue at least partially entering the channels 106′. Satisfactory tenting of tissue 80 allows unobstructed or relatively unrestricted flow of nutrients or other biological materials along the channels 106. Typical aspect ratios d/w are less than 1, such as, for example, 0.5, 0.8, etc.

Various biological materials can be delivered through the channels 106 by external cannulas or other pumping devices during or after implantation. Such biological materials can be in the form of autologous, allogenic, xenograpt or recombinant cells and factors derived from blood, bone marrow aspirate, or fat containing various growth factors, stem cells, activators with or without adhesive properties. Native or endogenous biological materials can also be carried after implantation from a vascular region of the soft tissue 80 to the injured site by inserting the conduit device 100 such that the conduit device 100 extends from a vascular region of the soft tissue to the injured site. Additionally or alternatively, biological materials in the form of platelet gels can be deposited in the channels 106 before implantation, as another mechanism of biological material delivery, including nutrient, delivery.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the body 102 of the conduit device 100 can include a cylindrical portion 108 of constant dimensions and a tapered portion 110. The body 102 can also include a plurality of blunt, rounded, and generally non-cutting ridges or threads 112 that are interrupted by the channels 106. The body 102 can be cannulated with an internal longitudinal bore 114. The longitudinal bore 114 can include a plurality of facets 116 for engaging a driver or other inserter for inserting the conduit device 100 in the soft tissue 80. The bore 114 can have, for example, a square, triangular, hexagonal or other shape configured to engage the driver non-rotatably.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, and 3A-3C, exemplary conduit devices 100 having channels 106 with rounded V-shaped cross-sections are illustrated. FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an aspect of the conduit device 100 with four channels 106 arranged, for example, symmetrically relative to the four sides 116 of a square bore 114, although asymmetrical arrangements can also be used. FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an aspect of the conduit device 100 with six channels 106 arranged symmetrically relative to the four sides 116 of the square bore 114. FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an aspect of the conduit device 100 with five channels 106 arranged asymmetrically relative to the four sides 116 of a square bore 114.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-4C, an exemplary conduit device 100 having channels 106 with keyhole-shaped cross-sections is illustrated. The keyhole shape can include a substantially circular portion 118 and a narrow slot-like opening 120 to the outer surface 104 of the body 102. The keyhole shape can be used to provide a path for substantial volume of biological materials or nutrients with good tenting of tissue 80 over the channels 106. It will be appreciated, however, that a different number of channels 106 and a variety of different channel shapes can be used as conduits for the conduit device 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary method of using the conduit device 100 is illustrated. A driver 130 can be used to insert the conduit device 100 through a tear or other defect or injury 82 in the soft tissue or meniscus 80. The driver 130 can have a shaft 132 configured to engage the bore 114 of the body 102 of the conduit device 100 to facilitate inserting and guiding the conduit device 100 into the tissue 80. The shaft 132 of the driver 130 can also include a sharp tip 134 for facilitating the insertion of the conduit device 100 into tissue 80. The driver 100 can be used to rotate the conduit device 100 such that the blunt threads 112 push the tissue 80 aside during the insertion the conduit device 100. The conduit device 100 can be used to connect areas of good vascularity 84 of the soft tissue 80, such as, for example, the outer surface of a meniscus, with the site of the defect 82 or other areas of low or no vascularity, and can also serve as a fixation device that can bridge the defect 82 and or and bring closer together opposite sites of torn or damaged tissue at the defect 82.

Referring to FIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-AC, the conduit device 100 can have a body 102 with a substantially cylindrical shape of constant diameter without external threads or ridges, and having an outer surface 104 interrupted by a plurality of longitudinal channels 106. The body 102 can be otherwise solid (non-cannulated) as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6C, or cannulated with an internal longitudinal bore 114, as shown in FIGS. 7A-7C. The channels 106 can have different cross-sectional shapes, including the illustrated keyhole shapes for improved tissue tenting. The non-threaded conduit devices 100 of FIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-AC can be used with various anchors, buttons, toggles or other fixation devices 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-B and 9.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, exemplary conduit devices 100 having flat or parallelepiped bodies are illustrated. The channels 106 can be square or V-shaped or U-shaped or key-hole shaped, for example. The conduit devices 100 can include central bores 114 or can be solid. It will be appreciated that conduit devices 100 of various other shapes can be used, such as oval, square, rectangular, circular, or other shapes, and having channels 106 of different shapes. Referring to FIGS. 11A-C, an exemplary threaded conduit device 100 having a solid oval cross-section with outer longitudinal channels 106, a tapered portion 110 and a cylindrical portion 108 is illustrated. The oval cross-section can provide a lower profile while maintaining a satisfactory strength and size for the function of the conduit device 100. It will be appreciated that the conduit device 100 of FIGS. 11A-C can also be cannulated.

The conduit devices 100 can be coupled with fixation devices 140 using sutures or flexible strands 142 passing through the central bore 114 or through two channels 106, as discussed below in reference to FIGS. 8A-B. Referring to FIG. 8A, two cannulated conduit devices 100 a, 100 b can be coupled with corresponding fixation devices 140 a, 140 b using a suture or other elongated flexible strand 142. The flexible strand 142 can define a loop that passes through the first bore 114 a, connects to the corresponding fixation device 140 a, returns through the same bore 114 a, passes through the second bore 114 b, connects to the second fixation device 140 b, returns through the second bore 114 b, and closes the loop with a knot, button or other retainer 144.

Similarly, two non-cannulated conduit devices 100 a, 100 b can be coupled with corresponding fixation devices 140 a, 140 b using the flexible strand 142, as shown in FIG. 8B. The flexible strand 142 can define a loop that passes through a first external channel 106 a of the first conduit device 100 a, connects to the corresponding fixation device 140 a and returns through a second channel 106 b of the first conduit device 100 a. The flexible strand 142 then passes through a third channel 106 c of the second conduit device 100 b, connects to the second fixation device 140 b, returns through a fourth channel 106 d of the second conduit device 100 b, and closes the loop with a retainer 144.

Referring to FIG. 9, two conduit devices 100 are shown coupled with two fixation devices 140, which are inserted through a tear 82 in a meniscus and secured by tightening the loop defined by the flexible strand 142. The implantation of the conduit devices 100 and the fixation devices 140 for reducing or closing the tear 82 can be performed according to the methods described in co-pending parent patent application Ser. No. 11/347,661 filed Feb. 3, 2006, and incorporated herein by reference.

Referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, an exemplary inserter 150 for the conduit devices 100 is illustrated. The inserter 150 can include a gripping handle 152, a slider 154 operating a pusher rod 156, and an access port 160 communicating with a delivery shaft 158, such as a hypodermic tube or surgical needle, for example. The delivery shaft 158 has a bore 159 adapted to receive a conduit device 100 therein. One or more conduit devices 100 can be loaded serially in the delivery shaft 158 for successive deployment selectively in various soft tissue locations. The delivery shaft 158 can include a sharp tip 162 for piercing soft tissue. The access port 160 can be in the form of a luer lock or can include a luer lock 164 for quick connection with a delivery device 170, such as a syringe or cannula or pumping device. The access port 160 can be used to deliver nutrients or other biological materials to the conduit device or devices 100 during insertion and while the devices 100 are inside the delivery shaft 158. As discussed above, however, the conduit devices 100 can also be coated with nutrients prior to or at the time of delivery into tissue.

The slider 154 of the inserter 150 can be operated to move the pusher rod 156 into the delivery shaft and cause sequential expulsion of the conduit devices 100. The handle 152 can incorporate a double click or other sound mechanism to alert the operating surgeon that a proper depth into tissue has been achieved and that the conduit device 100 has been delivered out of the delivery shaft 158 and into the tissue.

Referring to FIGS. 13A-13D, an exemplary procedure for vascularization of meniscal tissue 80 is illustrated. With the knee in flexion, an arthroscopic incision 60 is made and held open to expose the meniscus 80, as shown in FIG. 13A. One or more conduit devices 100 can be inserted into the meniscus 80 to connect a vascular region 84 of the meniscus with a less vascular or avascular region, such as a defect or tear 82, or other less vascular or weak region, as discussed above. In an illustrative procedure, the delivery shaft 158 of the inserter 150 can be loaded with one or more conduit devices 100. The inserter 150 can pierce the meniscal tissue 80 to deliver a first conduit device 100, such that the first conduit device 100 extends between the vascular region 84 and the defect or weak region 82, as shown in FIG. 13B. Biological material can be delivered through the access port 160 into the channels 106 of the conduit device 100 before, during or after the insertion of the conduit device 100 into the tissue. For example, although biological material can be delivered to the conduit device 100 while the conduit device 100 is still inside the delivery shaft 158, the conduit device 100 can also be expelled from the delivery shaft 158, and while the delivery shaft 158 is still attached to tissue, biological material can be delivered from the delivery shaft 158 through tissue to the channels 106 of the conduit device 100. The delivery shaft 158 can then be removed from the meniscal tissue 80 and, if it is determined that insertion of a second conduit device 100 is desirable, the delivery shaft 158 can be re-inserted into the meniscal tissue 80 in another location for inserting a second conduit device 100 into the tissue and then delivering biological materials into the tissue and through the conduit device 100, as shown in FIGS. 13C and 13D. It will be appreciated that although insertion of the conduit devices 100 is illustrated from the less vascular region or defect 82 toward the more vascular region 84, the conduit devices 100 can be alternatively inserted in an opposite manner from the vascular region 84 to the less vascular region or defect 82, depending on the particular procedure, location of defect or other considerations by the operating surgeon.

Further will be appreciated from the above description that the conduit devices 100 can be used for many applications in which biological materials or nutrients are needed to be delivered to a soft tissue site or transferred from one tissue site to another. The longitudinal channels 106 of the devices coupled with dimensions that facilitate tenting of tissue 80 can provide unobstructed and uninterrupted or continuous paths for the flow or delivery of such biological materials and nutrients across an interface in the tissue, such as, for example, across an interface between vascular and avascular regions, or across a defect, such as a tear or a weakened area, or across a healing site. Further, although certain aspects of the present teaching are illustrated in connection with certain figures, it should be appreciated that various aspects illustrated in the drawings can be selectively combined to provide a variety of embodiments. For example, in one such combination, the keyhole-shaped channels 106 shown in FIG. 4C can be combined with the oval cross-section of the conduits 100 shown in FIG. 11C, replacing the channels 106 illustrated in FIG. 11C.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A method of conducting biological material to soft tissue, the method comprising: loading a conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter; inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into soft tissue; expelling the conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue; and delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the conduit device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein expelling the conduit device comprises actuating a deployment mechanism of the inserter.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering biological material comprises delivering biological material through a delivery device connectable to the access port of the inserter.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein inserting into soft tissue comprises inserting into meniscal tissue.
 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising delivering the conduit device across a defect in soft tissue.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein delivering biological material comprises delivering biological material through the delivery shaft of the inserter while the delivery shaft is still connected to tissue and after expelling the conduit device.
 7. A method of conducting biological material to soft tissue, the method comprising: loading at least first and second conduit devices onto a delivery shaft of an inserter; inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into a first location in soft tissue; expelling the first conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue; delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into an outer longitudinal channel of the first conduit device; and removing the delivery shaft from the tissue.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into a second location of the soft tissue; expelling the second conduit device from the delivery shaft into the tissue; delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into an outer longitudinal channel of the second conduit device; and removing the delivery shaft from the tissue.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising selectively inserting at least one of the first and second conduit devices across an interface in the tissue, across a defect, across a healing site or between two areas of different vascularities of the tissue.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the soft tissue is meniscal tissue, and further comprising inserting the first and second conduit devices through a defect in the meniscal tissue.
 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising delivering biological material into the access port of the inserter through a delivery device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein expelling the first conduit device comprises actuating a deployment mechanism of the inserter.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein actuating a deployment mechanism comprises moving a slider of the inserter.
 14. A method of conducting biological material to meniscal tissue, the method comprising: making an arthroscopic incision in a knee; exposing meniscal tissue; loading a first conduit device onto a delivery shaft of an inserter; optionally loading a second conduit device onto the delivery shaft of the inserter; inserting at least a portion of the delivery shaft into a first location in the meniscal tissue; expelling the first conduit device from the delivery shaft into the meniscal tissue between two areas of different vascularity; delivering biological material through an access port of the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the first conduit device; removing the delivery shaft from the meniscal tissue; optionally inserting the delivery shaft of the inserter into a second location in the meniscal tissue; optionally expelling the second conduit device from the delivery shaft into the meniscal tissue; optionally delivering biological material from the inserter into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the second conduit device; removing the delivery shaft of the inserter from the meniscal tissue; and closing the incision.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising inserting the conduit device through a defect in the meniscal tissue.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising delivering biological material into the access port through a delivery device.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising delivering biological material into at least one outer longitudinal channel of the second conduit device.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein expelling the first conduit device comprises actuating a deployment mechanism of the inserter.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein actuating a deployment mechanism comprises moving a slider of the inserter.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein loading the first and second conduit devices in the inserter comprises serially loading first and second conduit devices in the inserter. 